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Simplifying your life means changing damaging habits, worries and toxic people that cause you stress. The only way your life will change is if you change it. As you free your mind you will find your life less complex, easier to handle. The following suggestions are some hints to consider.

1.    TURN OFF THE PHONE or let it go to the answering machine. That way you can monitor your call and if it’s really important answer it. It’s also a good idea to choose a certain time of day to answer your phone calls and your e- mail. Get people used to your schedule so they don’t interrupt you and they can expect an answer at a certain time. "I’ll get back to you on that sometime between 3 and 5 today." Or you can call them after they have gone home. Leaving a message is faster than a long, unnecessary conversation. "I’m in meetings from 9-10 every day." The meeting is with yourself.

2.    MAKE A LIST OF PRIORITIES and follow it. If you find your list makes you upset if you don’t finish it each day, make it an unending list, not a daily list. You might also create a schedule for a week just to see how you do spend your time. You may find it’s filled up with things you didn’t even think of as important but they took time from your life.

3.    FINISH AT LEAST 1 IMPORTANT TASK each day.

4.    LEARN TO SAY NO WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY. You may say something like, "I’m flattered you want me for your president but I’m just not available at this time. Thank you anyway."

5.    CHECK YOUR GAS GAUGE before you get out of your car. If you are low and need to fill up next time, plan on leaving a little early.

6.    GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. Failure to take regular breaks is actually less productive. This is especially true if you are working on the computer. In which case, a 5-10 minute break every hour actually produces more work and your eyes will thank you. This will also help you ward off burnout. Get up, look out a window, stretch, take deep breaths.

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